Ukraine's experimental weapon downs Russian KAB bomb
Ukrainian armed forces have shot down a Russian KAB bomb near Zaporizhzhia for the first time, according to the Ukrainian agency Unian, which cites findings from military correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko. He suggests the army used an "experimental weapon".
The Ukrainian army successfully downed a Russian KAB guided bomb in the Zaporizhzhia region. This information was provided by military correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko, citing sources within the Ukrainian Defence Forces.
Experimental Ukrainian weapons
"According to preliminary information, it is an experimental weapon," writes Tsaplienko on Telegram. As reported by the Ukrainian agency Unian, this marks the first instance of the army shooting down a KAB air bomb.
Previously, military expert Ihor Romanenko explained that Ukraine faces challenges in neutralising Russian KABs. The F-16s that Ukraine has received are not equipped to down their carriers. Consequently, Ukraine is concentrating on attacking ground targets using drones.
The downing of the Russian KAB bomb by the Ukrainian armed forces could be a pivotal moment in the conflict, illustrating Ukraine's capacity to defend against advanced enemy weaponry. Unian highlights that this event might influence the future trajectory of the war.
Russian KAB bombs
The KAB bomb family comprises various versions differing in equipment and weight. These designs, inspired by the FAB-500 bomb, have versatile applications in combat situations. One variant is the KAB-500L, which utilises laser guidance. Its construction includes approximately 992 pounds of explosives.
With a precision of about 23 feet, these bombs remain effective even in challenging terrain. They can be deployed by aircraft such as the Su-24 or MiG-27. The release process is based on pre-targeting, allowing their deployment from altitudes ranging from 1,640 to 16,404 feet at speeds between 342 and 684 mph. The bomb's advanced electronic systems manage subsequent actions, enabling a "drop and forget" approach, relieving the pilot of post-drop supervision.
